GSAN Wellness Team
We’re here to help! Whether it be through our peer support network, our discussion groups or our general wellness events, the GSAN wellness team provides support tailored to the IPN student experience. No problem is too small, so don’t hesitate to reach out and email us at ipn.pst@gmail.com if you are looking for resources or if you have any feedback or requests for future events.
Discussion Groups
We hold monthly discussion groups on all topics related to wellbeing in graduate school. Previous discussion group topics include loneliness, impostor syndrome, handling the winter blues, the graduate experience as a first-generation student, and identifying toxic environments in academia.
All are welcome! For future events, see here.
Peer Support Network Helpdesk
Need a little help?
GSAN Peer Support Network (PSN) is a free, confidential service that matches students in need of support with trained active listeners. One-on-one meetings are held with peer supporters across multiple IPN institutions, meaning that you don’t have to be downtown/at the MNI to get help. No matter the issue, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Looking to give back?
We are always looking for new peer supporters! We hold two free active listening training sessions every academic year; in September and in January. Once completed, you will receive a certificate and will be eligible to serve as a peer supporter.
If you are interested to become a peer supporter please fill out the following form and we will contact you closer to the date with information.
General Wellness Events
We also hold general wellness events, which are geared towards adjusting to Montreal rather than graduate school specifically. For example, our annual winter blues event is geared for newcomers adjusting to the cold Canadian winters, and the lack of sunlight. We also do trips to the doggy cafe for those animal lovers who are missing pets from back home. Future events can be found here and here, and if you have any requests for future events please let us know here on our feedback form!
Wellbeing Neuroblog Features
Panel Discussion: Coping with Academic Challenges and Impostor Phenomenon
“Impostor phenomenon” is a pattern of thoughts in which an individual feels like a fraud and doesn’t deserve the success, position, and/or accolades one has achieved, even though one’s objective skills and competence would suggest the opposite.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE
Health and Wellness Resources
Whether you’re a new or returning graduate student dealing with a health issue or simply trying to flourish despite the stress of research (and whatever else you’ve boldly heaped onto your plate!), it is helpful to know what health and wellness resources are available to you on campus.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE
Tackling Graduate School as a First-Generation Student
Being the first person in your family to attend graduate school, or even university in general can be a very proud feeling. As a ‘first-generation’ (FirstGen) student, you chose to attend university and through hard work and determination, you succeeded. You achieved many things on your own, from getting good grades and finding the university and program that interests you the most, to contacting supervisors, registering for courses, moving to another city/country/continent and eventually graduating from a top institute. That deserves a pat on the shoulder.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE
Parenting in Graduate School
If you are a parent or thinking of being a parent or are just curious about what life is like at the intersection of parenting and graduate school, this article is for you!
Making science more open, accessible, and equitable, requires that we invest seriously in those actually doing this science — graduate students are ultimately people, people who must balance their personal and professional responsibilities, and who are deserving of the policy and infrastructural framework to live full lives.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE
Wellness Feedback Form
Resources:
| PGSS International Caucus Welcome events and resources for new international students isc.pgss@mail.mcgill.ca | PGSS Family Care Free children, advocacy, and personal support for graduate students with children familycare.pgss@mail.mcgill.ca | Equality and Diversity Committee Representation to PGSS or varying governing bodies at McGill. If you feel that there is a issue regarding equality or diversity at the level of PGSS or McGill, they will represent your concerns equity.pgss@mail.mcgill.ca |
| Happy Lamp Lending Program Free two-week rentals of therapy lamps https://pgss.mcgill.ca/en/event/861 | Health and Wellness Committee Wellness promotion, advocacy, and management of PGSS health and dental plans health.pgss@mail.mcgill.ca | Student Wellness Officers Wellbeing-focused events and seminars, personal advice, referral to other McGill services Varies year to year; see gsaneuro.com |
| Peer Support Program Confidential, non-judgemental listening and support from GSAN students. Any reason or no reason is a good reason to call Varies year to year; see gsaneuro.com | International Student Officers Events and resources to ease transitions for incoming international students, offer person advice/needs, produce a new students guide available on the GSAN website Varies year to year; see gsaneuro.com | Buddy Program Matches new neuroscience graduate students with veteran students for advice about McGill, the IPN, and living in Montreal Varies year to year; see gsaneuro.com |
| McGill Counselling and Mental Health Service Crisis intervention and assistance, workshops in coping strategies and wellness, one on one or group talk therapy with professionals, consultation for concerned parties, PRIDE counselling team specializing in LGBTTQ+ issues, mental Health First Aid Training counselling.service@mcgill.ca mentalhealth.stuserv@mcgill.ca | McGill Office of Religious and Spiritual Life (MORSL) Can connect students to both old and modern Faiths; offers resources for students seeking spiritual meaning or who are more comfortable with a religious / spiritual counselor than a secular counselor, meditation, light therapy, peer support Suite 2100, Brown Building 3600 rue McTavish Tel: 514 398 4104 morsl@mcgill.ca | Sexual Assault Center of the McGill Students’ Society Support to survivors of sexual assault through their hotline, in person support, group therapy, advice and support for supporters main@sacomss.org |
| McGill First People’s House Community and meeting place for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students where they can find a safe space and stay connected to their roots First Peoples’ House at McGill 3505 rue Peel Tel: 514 398 3217 | Harassment, Sexual Harassment, and Discrimination Assessors Help students who feel that they have been the victims of harassment, sexual harassment, or discrimination at McGill initiate a complaint and investigation Tel: 514 398 3954 pascale.legros@mcgill.ca | International Student Services Orientation and community-building events for international McGill Students, off-the-plane greeting and reception, legal/financial advice (Visas, permits, insurance); general advice, buddy program Brown Student Services Building 3600 rue McTavish, Suite 4400 Tel: 514 398 4349 international.students@mcgill.ca |
| Social Equity and Diversity Education Office Information and training to promote an inclusive and harmonious campus, different coordinators (family services, LGBTTQ+) can help students navigate a variety of challenges on campus 3610 rue McTavish, Suites 11 & 12 Tel: 514 398 2039 equity.diversity@mcgill.ca | Queer McGill Safe community and support services for students “including but not limited to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, tran(s)sexual, two-spirited, asexual, intersex, pansexual, questioning, and anyone to identifies with the queer moniker” SSMU Building 432 queermcgill@gmail.com | Union for Gender Empowerment Anti-oppression workshops, safe space lounge, at-cost eco-friendly menstrual products, safe sex supplies 3480 rue McTavish, Room 413 Tel: 514 398 2569 unionforgenderempowerment@gmail.com |
| McGill Students’ Chapter of Jack.org Workshops, speaker series, and support groups promoting mental health and the de-stigmatization of mental illness mscjackdotorg@gmail.com | McGill Peer Support Center One on one support from training student peer helpers for any issue SSMU Building, Room 411 mcgill.psc@gmail.com | McGill Eating Disorder Program Multi-disciplinary team offering assessment, therapy, counseling, meal support, and more; support and advice for supporters of those with mental illness Brown Building, Suite 5500 Tel: 514 398 6019 edpclerk.mentalhealth@mcgill.ca |
| SSMU Walksafe Provides two-person accompaniment for students feeling uncomfortable about walking home at night. If walksafe is unavailable, students can contact McGill security at 514-398-3000 Tel: 514 398 2498 | McGill Office for Students with Disabilities Support, accommodations, and counseling for students who feel that their academic progress is being hampered by an impairment of any kind Redpath Library Building, Suite RS56 Tel: 514 398 6009 disabilities.students@mcgill.ca | Healthy McGill Support hub for students looking to lead a healthier lifestyle, whether that entails safer sex, better food, relaxation techniques, or something else entirely 3600 rue McTavish, Suite 3100 health.promotion@mcgill.ca |
| McGill Nightline Confidential, non-judgemental, night-time listening service for issues of any severity Tel: 514 398 6246 | Liaison Officer (Harm Reduction) Central hub for resources related to sexual assault, provides annual forums for students to discuss consent on campus 550 Sherbrooke O., Suite 585 Tel: 514 398 3786 | Frugal Scholar Program Series of workshops and resources to help students manage their finances responsibly https://www.mcgill.ca/studentaid/finances/frugal-scholar-workshops |
| Urgent Care Health Clinic Offers same-day treatment of appointments for urgent matters only 3600 rue McTavish O, Room 3301 Tel: 514 398 6017 https://www.mcgill.ca/studenthealth/see-doctor/clinic | InfoSanté Free medical advice over the phone for non-urgent matters only Tel: 811 | McGill Athletics and Recreation Offers a variety of fitness, yoga, dance, self-defence, and sport programs to promote student wellbeing, physical therapy is also available 475 Av. Des Pins O. Tel: 514 398 7000, ext. 0273 info.athletics@mcgill.ca |
| Shag Shop Online sex shop and sexual health information hub Tel: 514 398 2087 health.promotion@mcgill.ca | Suicide Action Montreal Bilingual, 24/7 phone support, crisis workers, and monitoring for people who feel they are at risk of committing suicide. If you’re considering calling, call. Tel: 1 866 277 3553 The national suicide prevention line is available at 1-800-273-TALK | Heads and Hands Free medical clinics for Montreal youth (12-25), free counseling on subjects such as gender identity, pregnancy, nutrition, sexual health, mental health, and more 33 Sherbrooke St. O Tel: 514 481 0277 info@headandhands.ca |
| Face à Face Legal advice, advocacy, and housing support for those who do not have a place to stay, or are at risk of becoming homeless 980 St. Antoine O, Suite 101B Tel: 514 934 4546 info@faceafacemontreal.org |